DIY Personalised Gift Ideas

Made From The Heart

By: Lakshmi Ganesan & Annabelle Maria Jeffrey

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with presents! Instead of buying presents for your loved ones like always, why not make them? After all, it’s the intention that counts right? Below is a list of fun and creative gift ideas that you can make yourself. What’s more is that you not only get to see your friends and family smile, you might also be able to save some cash making your own presents!

DIRECTIONS:
1) Mix some granulated sugar with water in a bowl. Ensure that you don’t pour too much water, in order to make sure that the sugar doesn’t dissolve into the water.

2) Fill the ice cube tray halfway with the mixture. Press the mixture tightly so that it will be in the mould.

3) Leave it to freeze overnight.

4) VINTAGE TIN CANDLES (Difficulty Level 5)

MATERIALS:
Metal tins(make sure it does not have any places of leakages)
Candle wax (can use old candles or an assortment of waxes available at craft stores)
Candle wicks
Double boiler
Wooden chopsticks/skewers

DIRECTIONS:
1) Melt a small amount of wax at the top section of the double boiler. Place the candle wicks in the wax, let the wicks be fully covered with the wax and then remove to let them harden. If your candle wicks are already pre-waxed, then skip to step 2.

2) Clean the tins thoroughly. Add the wicks to the tin base inside the metal tins. Dab a bit of melted wax on the bottom of the wick tin base as it will help to hold it in place. Use either the chopstick or skewer to stretch over the metal tin and wrap the wicks around the chopstick/skewer to hold it in place.

3) Melt the desired amount of wax. As different types of wax have different points, it is important to not overheat the wax as it is flammable. Basic scented candles would be easier and safer to melt down.

4) Once the wax is completely melted, pour it into the vintage tins. The top of the candle should dry smoothly. If not, it means there are air bubbles. Using a wooden skewer to poke down into the candle, when still soft, will release the air.

5) Add melted wax to the top to create a smooth finish

6) Let the wax harden for about 24 hours and then trim off the excess wick to finish it.

DIRECTIONS:
1) Draw a L-shape on the top right hand corner and the bottom left hand corner of the iPhone case. This will be your guide to pasting the studs.

2) Place studs in desired position (refer to picture above)

3) Once satisfied, place a dot of glue on each stud and stick it firmly. Press it in.

4) Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

6) SHARPIE MUGS (Difficulty Level 3)

MATERIALS:
Ceramic mug
Rubbing alcohol
Painter’s tape
Sharpie

DIRECTIONS:
1) Clean the mug with the rubbing alcohol, making sure there is no oil residue on the mug. When the mug is clean, be careful when touching it so as to not leave any residue on it. Use gloves if necessary

2) Use the painter’s tape to make a guide line on the mug

3) Decorate your mug as desired with the sharpie

4) Wait for the marker to fully dry. Once dried place it in the oven and turn it to 232 degrees.This is because the mug needs to be in the oven before it is turn on so that it heats slowly with the oven, preventing the mug from cracking.

5) Set the timer to about 30 minutes or so, and while the mug is in the oven, make sure that to check on the mug so that it does not turn brown.

6) Once the timer is goes off, shut off the oven but leave the mug inside to cool as removing it immediately will cause it to crack

DIRECTIONS:
1) Add the unscented oil to the sugar in about 1/4 increments while stirring the sugar after every time the oil is added.

2) Continue to add the oil to the sugar and stir till the mixture has a consistency that is like of sand that is used for building sandcastles. The mixture should be able to be moulded with your fingers

3) Next, add the peppermint essential oil to the mixture and stir well

4) Scoop the mixture into the jars, pushing the sugar into all the corners well

5) Add another tablespoon of oil into the jar to keep the mixture from drying out

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